Rapid Organocatalytic Formation of Carbon Monoxide: Application towards Carbonylative Cross Couplings

Herein, the first organocatalytic method for the transformation of non-derivatized formic acid into carbon monoxide (CO) is introduced. Formylpyrrolidine (FPyr) and trichlorotriazine (TCT), which is a cost-efficient commodity chemical, enable this decarbonylation. Utilization of dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent and catalyst even allows for a rapid CO generation at room temperature. Application towards four different carbonylative cross coupling protocols demonstrates the high synthetic utility and versatility of the new approach. Remarkably, this also comprehends a carbonylative Sonogashira reaction at room temperature employing intrinsically difficult electron-deficient aryl iodides. Commercial ¹³C-enriched formic acid facilitates the production of radiolabeled compounds as exemplified by the pharmaceutical Moclobemide. Finally, comparative experiments verified that the present method is highly superior to other protocols for the activation of carboxylic acids.